Are Premier League Players Worth It?

The Premier League — now the world’s richest and most-watched football competition — sees clubs routinely break transfer records, shelling out fees and wages far beyond their European peers. But does paying more guarantee value on the pitch? Using the contrasting transfers of Max Kilman and Nikola Milenković among other examples, this article investigates what fuels these spending habits and whether they make financial sense.

The Financial Powerhouse: League-Wide Spending

Premier League clubs spent over €807 million (around £692 million) in one summer window — dramatically exceeding the combined outlay of La Liga (€190.5 m), Serie A (€352.3 m), and the Bundesliga (€245.3 m). In January alone, English clubs spent £815 million, more than France, Germany, Italy, and Spain combined. This flood of money illustrates how Premier League teams dominate the continental market and remain the primary buyers of top talent.

The Premier League becomes the first league to pass €1b spending this summer, dwarfing every other division in comparison 🤑 pic.twitter.com/OpxWHwdmqE

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) July 2, 2025

Why the Premium? The Commercial Boost

The Premier League’s financial strength is driven by its unparalleled broadcast deals, generating a record €7.1 billion (£5.9 billion) in revenue during the 2023 financial year — almost double that of La Liga (€3.7 billion) and the Bundesliga (€3.6 billion). International rights alone bring in €1.58 billion per season, compared to La Liga’s €897 million and Bundesliga’s €240 million. When clubs can afford to spend more, inflated transfer fees follow.

🚨📊 Sheffield United who finished last in the Premier League last season earned €142 million in TV broadcasting revenue more than Inter the Serie A champions who earned €101 million.

Serie A TV rights 2023/2024: ⤵️⤵️⤵️

🥇Inter champion of Italy: €101 million
🥈AC Milan… pic.twitter.com/eSFkSPJxI4

— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) February 10, 2025

Uneven Fees - From £5m to £116m, and Beyond

Premier League transfer fees span a vast range, from modest deals to astronomical sums, often dictated by player potential, proven quality, and market demand. On the lower end, a notable example is the £5 million signing of midfielder Jacob Murphy by Newcastle United in 2017, a relatively low fee in today’s inflated market, which allowed the club to develop a solid talent without excessive financial risk.

At the other extreme sits the record-breaking £116 million acquisition of Erling Haaland by Manchester City in 2022, a fee that set new standards for forward transfers globally. Haaland’s immediate impact — scoring 36 goals in his debut Premier League season — justified the expenditure, but such deals remain rare exceptions.

Max Kilman’s £40 million move from Wolves to West Ham in 2024 fits within the upper mid-range of these figures. While he was a proven Premier League defender, the hefty fee raised questions about market inflation overshadowing pure performance metrics.

By contrast, Nikola Milenković’s £12 million switch from Fiorentina to Nottingham Forest in the same summer window looked like a bargain. The Serbian centre-back slotted in as a leader in defence, ultimately winning Forest’s Player of the Season award and playing a vital role in their Champions League aspirations.

This kind of value signing is not new to the Premier League. Back in 2017, Andy Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City for just £8 million. What followed was a rise to elite status as one of Europe’s best full-backs, contributing more than 60 assists and playing a central role in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs. Similarly, N’Golo Kanté cost Leicester City a modest £5.6 million in 2015 when he arrived from Caen. Within a season, he became the heartbeat of their improbable title-winning side and later achieved even greater success at Chelsea.

These cases show that while clubs frequently spend large sums on established stars, proven or emerging talent from abroad — or from less-hyped clubs — can provide equal or greater returns at a fraction of the cost.

Max Kilman was sold by part time Maidenhead to Wolves for £40,000 in 2018 💰

They inserted a sell on clause, which was triggered today after he joined West Ham

It’s thought it will net them anywhere between £4-8 million

This will “profoundly change the future of the club” 👀 pic.twitter.com/bZ8aPuDFW4

— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) July 6, 2024

Are Clubs Paying for Buzz or Value?

Premier League signings often come with a hefty price tag. On average, transfers (factoring in wages) cost £12 million — over double that of comparable leagues. Position-specific premiums exist too; centre-backs and goalkeepers can command two to three times more than their European counterparts. Spending £4 million per goal for a forward’s debut Premier League season is not uncommon. Not every big-money move pays off — Chelsea’s £107 million signing of Enzo Fernández, for example, has delivered mixed returns relative to the outlay.

The Visibility Premium

Much of the price inflation stems from the Premier League’s massive global reach. Broadcast in 212 countries and accessible to over 4.7 billion viewers, the league enjoys more visibility than any of its European rivals. This exposure increases the marketing potential of players, which inflates valuations. Additionally, the centralised and lucrative TV revenue structure allows even bottom-half clubs to spend sums that would cripple sides in other leagues.

Value or Overpayment? A Mixed Bag

Despite widespread concerns about overspending, several clubs have managed to extract real value from the market — often by looking beyond the English talent pool or targeting underused players from top leagues.

Dean Huijsen, for example, cost Bournemouth just £12.6 million when they signed him from Juventus in 2024. At only 19, the Dutch-born centre-back quickly became one of the breakout stars of the season and earned a nomination for PFA Young Player of the Year.

Another success story was Yankuba Minteh, who signed for Brighton from Newcastle United for £33 million after impressing during a loan spell in the Eredivisie. His debut Premier League season produced six goals and four assists — excellent output for a 19-year-old still adjusting to England’s top flight.

These examples show that while Premier League clubs often spend big on homegrown or established names, they can still find top-performing talent at relatively reasonable prices — provided the scouting and timing are right. In contrast, high-fee players like Max Kilman, Dominic Solanke (who moved to Spurs for £65 million), and Matthijs de Ligt (signed by Manchester United for £42.7 million) highlight the risk of overpaying for familiarity or perceived potential. Not all deliver value proportionate to the fee.

Is the Premier League Paying Too Much?

The short answer: yes, often. But it’s not always reckless. With revenue streams unmatched globally, Premier League clubs can afford to gamble. Still, many fees reflect hype, domestic status, or inflated perception rather than cold performance metrics. The balance between footballing return and commercial rationale is more delicate than ever.

Florian Wirtz breaks the British transfer record with his move to Liverpool, with the deal worth £116.5m 💰

The most expensive signing in Premier League history was previously Moises Caicedo, who signed with Chelsea for £115m 💼 pic.twitter.com/PiU986erpY

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 20, 2025

Conclusion

Premier League clubs have spending power their continental rivals can’t match. That wealth fuels inflated fees, particularly for domestic players like Max Kilman. However, as Nikola Milenković, Andy Robertson, and N’Golo Kanté have shown, value can still be found. The challenge for clubs is resisting the temptation to overspend when smarter, less glamorous options may yield equal or greater returns.

As transfer windows continue to inflate, the clubs that thrive may not be those who spend the most — but those who spend the smartest.